Sunday Music Muse Day - Julian Lage, Anthony Wilson

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us in the Memorial Day weekend.  A time to remember and reflect on the fallen who give their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights they believed in. This week I have two young guitarists who are in the up and coming stage in their careers.  In looking up their backgrounds I found they came together for a special project, more later.  First up is Julian Lage Love Hurts, his latest release which get 4 out of 5 star review in All About Jazz website.  In this CD I hear a echoes of Larry Coryell in his playing.  That is not a bad thing.

Next is Anthony Wilson Adult Themes.  This young jazz guitarist, composer and arranger is the son Gerald Wilson, the famous bandleader.  Anthony Wilson has earn much praise in his own right.  His first self-named album earned a Grammy Nomination.  All Music reviewer Alex Henderson give Adult Themes 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "this CD is noteworthy not only because of Wilson's Wes Montgomery-influenced guitar playing, but also because of his arranging and composing".  He adds, "Adult Themes innovative, but this enjoyable date is certainly neither generic nor predictable. I agree with this last statement totally.  I'll have to seek out his other 9 releases.

In researching  their background I discovered Julian Lage and Anthony Wilson are part of a guitar quartet project inspired by a custom guitar builder John Monteleone. He commissioned Los Angeles-based composer Anthony Wilson to create an original song cycle that would showcase the instruments he build together.
Here's a youtube clip of the Seasons Quartet.

Again, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.